Say 'I love you' with chocolate made in Durham

A message from Durham Tourism

Isabella's chocolate

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show you care than with the gift of chocolate for your partner? Stop by one of the following fantastic chocolatiers and buy some sweets for your sweetie, while supporting the local economy. If you're lucky, they'll share and you'll get to indulge in some chocolately goodness, too.

- William's Chocolate Factory, located at 460 Hopkins St. in Whitby, has been a family owned business since 1985. In addition to various types of chocolate for every occasion, William's also carries specialty items such as sugar-free chocolate, chocolate-covered ginger, cherries in liquor and novelty-shaped chocolate. Visit www.williamschocolate.com.

- In downtown Oshawa, stop by Isabella's Chocolate Café, located at 2 King St. E. Proprietor Rosanna Bruno makes delicious handmade chocolates right in the store and packages them in a fancy gift bag, too. While you're there, grab a specialty coffee or freshly made lunch. Visit www.isabellas.ca.

- Port Perry plays host to two specialty chocolate shops. Templeman's Fine Chocolates, located at 249 Queen St., makes all chocolates by hand on site. Templeman's is offering some Valentine's Day specialty chocolates this year, including rose bouquets, puzzle pieces and hearts made of chocolate. Yum.

- The Nutty Chocolatier, located at 182 Queen S., is one of Canada's finest retailers of handcrafted chocolate, and started here in Durham Region in 1988. All the chocolate is crafted in Port Perry as well, at the Home Sweet Home Candy Co. manufacturing facility. The Nutty Chocolatier also carries a wide selection of sugar-free chocolate. Visit www.thenuttychocolatier.com.

- And if you're a new breed of Valentine's Day shopper, who does it from your computer, check out Durham Region's youngest chocolatier, Natasha Hajj of Speaking in Chocolate. Natasha is passionate about her love for chocolate and her chosen profession. For Valentine's Day, she is excited about her sugar roses, which technically aren't chocolate, but are amazing. Visit www.speakinginchocolate.com.

Locally owned businesses use local resources and employ local workers. So, become a local consumer and support economic sustainability in your community. Search no further than right here in Durham Region for the perfect Valentine's Day gift. (I should also mention that if you're the chocoholic in your relationship, leave a copy of this column where your partner can find it.)

For more information on shopping destinations in Durham Region, visit www.durhamtourism.ca or follow @DurhamTourism on Twitter.